Hulkenberg admits to danger of dropping out of F1

Nico Hulkenberg admits there is a risk that he could drop out of Formula One altogether as uncertainty over his future continues.

With Lotus still unable to finalise the financial deal that is supposed to open the door for him to join, Hulkenberg has yet to sign a contract to race anywhere in 2014. Remaining at Sauber or returning to Force India remain two other options, but with the likes of Sergio Perez and Pastor Maldonado also searching for drives Hulkenberg said there was no guarantee he'll end up with a seat.

"I think there is danger around and you need to be careful, keep eyes and ears open, but I think also there are options, opportunities and interest from teams," Hulkenberg said. "That's the most important and I think as long as we have that then there is a good chance that I'll be here."

Having previously been willing to wait for Lotus, the lack of progress securing its financial backing has led Hulkenberg to start turning his attentions elsewhere.

"It is not just the situation that I'm waiting for Lotus and for Quantum, that's not the truth. It's a matter of getting everything together and negotiating the right deal with the teams which are in the hunt. The Lotus situation has been around for weeks and it's an on-going process on the side but it's not like I am waiting every day for a call from them or something."

Hulkenberg also said that it is frustrating to have been overlooked for a seat with a big team so far.

"I'm a little bit disappointed, yes, but on the other hand it is only my third year in Formula One and other guys have had to wait much longer than that for the big opportunity. Of course you're impatient and you want to be in a competitive car as quickly as you can, but on the other hand it would be nice to be somewhere.

"With Ferrari it was close but then obviously it didn't happen for the reasons we know. McLaren I don't know; they seem to have no interest. I don't know why."